June 06, 2007

WOO HOO!!! That's what I REALLY wanted to say next to that title!!;DHow are you guys? Our weekend was ok.Trisha was in the local newspaper again as one of the youngest scholars in High School with her photo and parents' name too!(Yup! That's only glory I get!;D)She also had her SAT exam on Saturday,so we had to stay put at home, couldn't do much other than working a little on my veggie patch.But I got busy on Sunday as you can see,cooked like crazy and enjoyed it too.Took photos at lightening speed before kids get their paws on them!;D

What's on the menu?!Chicken and Broccoli Bake,( Vegetarians,skip chicken ,add more vegs!)Summer Apple Salad,(Going Lite for MBP!)Asparagus with Sesame and garlic Butter,Texas White sheet cake for dessert,and wash them all down with a California Sunshine!!(AFAM!)All these dishes are from "Taste of Home" magazine,an excellent Mag if you really want authentic homely recipes written by various authors.

Our Sunday lunch:

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole:Here is a very tasty and healthy casserole with all goodness of Chicken and Broccoli with creamy Cheddar cheese sauce.You can skip the meat and add more veggies for a scrumptious lunch.Hope you will try.

Summer Apple salad:Make this fabulous cool and lite salad for a hot Summer day!!It feels so good have this not so sweet salad/dessert! Chill it for an hr at least for a wonderful and tasty salad.Enjoy:)

Sesame-Garlic Asparagus:Asparagus stir-fry!! Fresh,crunchy and deliciously spiced side dish.I should have used fresh but couldn't get tender ones.Canned Asparagus was ok but little soft.Please use fresh for this recipe.

You need: About 8-10 young tender Asparagus Spears(I usually do this with fresh ones.This time I couldn't get the young spears,so I bought a can!Big mistake!!:D Use fresh ones like I did here. 1 tbsp butter,1/2 tsp Garlic pd,2 tsp Sesame seeds,salt and pepper.How to: Heat a pan with butter,add sesame seeds.Add in the whole Asparagus spears and saute for 2 mints.Don't need to cook too much,just until tender-crisp.Sprinkle salt,garlic and pepper,take off the heat and stir well.

California Sunshine:What a cool way finish off the meal! This is originally called "Orange Julia or Julius".It not only looks beautiful,tastes delicious too chilled, served in a great looking tall glass.You can 2% milk too to cut the down the calorie even more.DO NOT use regular fat free milk though!

You Need: 1 can (6 ounce) frozen orange juice, concentrate, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 non-fat dry milk powder OR fat free half and half milk, 1 tsp vanilla essence, 1/2 cup cold water, 10 ice cubes, few oranges for garnishing.How to: In a blender, combine the first five ingredients, and process at high speed for 1 minute. Add ice cubes, one at a time, blending until slushy. Serve, garnish with orange slices.Note: For a fancy glass edge, dip the rim of the glass into orange juice and then in sugar. Chill in the fridge before you pour in the juice. This is going to Sharmi from 'Neivedyam' blog for AFAM "Orange". Thanks for hosting Sharmi:)

White Texas sheet cake:Texas sheet cake is light,easy and delicious,very handy for the kids to grab and go or as a after school snack.Add a squeeze of food color to make even more attractive.You can add Egg substitute if you don't eat Eggs.

For frosting; combine butter and milk in a saucepan, bring to boil, remove from heat. Add sugar and vanilla, mix well. Stir in walnuts,spread over cooled cake or use store bought vanilla icing,add color,walnuts and spread it thin. Cut into squares and serve.

Sumeet!I got my brand new mixer within 5 working days of ordering from Canada!! Super duper fast (free!) shipping from Sumeet. Blades are slightly thinner than the old Sumeet but grinds better. I made Orange Julius(above) with whipper blade,works great!:)

Have a great weekend.See Y'all with RCI dishes next! Kids' school is over this Friday and they are going to literally hang around me for 2 1/2 mnts! AH..!!! HELP!!!!!;D

Posted by
Asha

158 comments:

WOW!!! Ashaji ...Congrats on Trisha's apperance in the local news paper .The cake looks great and yuummmmmy .My mom is having summet mixing for more than 15 years now .She never wants to leave it .It is a great mixy ..What was the first thing that was in it ?...By the way where are you planning for vacations ...

AshaCongrats to Trisha. Way to go little girl :) You must be one proud Momma. It would be very nice if you share her achievements with us at DMC too, and let us know her study routine etc. She will be the role model for our kids you know.

Dear Asha,I knew you would have a feast every week. I was actually about to leave for my last minute shopping. Then, I couldn't stop thinking what you would have posted. I'm so glad that I stopped by. Each and every dish is unique. Couldn't go thru in detail, but will surely check in later. BTW, where should I go and vote for 'the best food blog'? Thanks for everything. You are the BEST.

Hey Ashakka how are you?today it took me quite a time to comment,blogger was acting funny!Congratulations to dear Trisha for being a hard working gal!Among the dishes I loved the simple asparagus stir fry and also the cake and ya loved the title of this post too!Sumeet is my favourite mixie too,have one with me here and cant cook and eat without it.My mom has a Sumeet mixie which is as old as her marriage and it still works great;)Because it doesnt look very glamorous now,dad bought her a brand new kenstar with so many different functions.She was so unhappy that day you know:)She still uses her Sumeet!

Hi Deepa,thank you.She is good daughter!:))I made California Sunshine in it!It works well.This is my third Sumeet since I got married!!This summer,we are not planning to go very far like we usually do,just Tennessee.

Thanks Viji.Hope you try the Shake and the cake!;D

Hi Sandeepa,great idea! I might do that next week at DMC!:))Btw,she is not "Little",she is bigger than me! Can you blame her with all these cake and bake!!;DTry the cake,it's yummy.

Kribha,thanks for taking time to check.I know you are busy preparing to leave to India!:))Don't worry about voting,not asking anybody to do that!Not imp to me other than seeing all of you here every week!:)) Hugs.Have a safe journey.

Sumita,thanks.I understand your mom completely!I had 2 Sumeets before and bought many Cuisinart here.None of them works like Summet.This Summet is little different and has thinner blades.Arvind says they are better to grind finely.I am happy with that.All these other fancy mixers do not match Sumeet!:))

Congratulations to Trisha!!!! along with loads and loads of best wishes from both of us here. Asha I am just drooling over your sheet cake. Lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee it. Looks awesome gottu make it sometime now hee hee. I loved the asparagus dish as well.

Hi Asha, contratulations to Miss Trisha and her proud parents! I love your array this week. Reminds me that I used to make a chicken casserole for the kids (not as fancy as yours tho!) -- I should make it now that little m is home from school. Asparagus and fruit salad look great, as does the sunset drink, but I must admit I'm really craving that cake. And I don't even have a big sweet tooth!! I think I know the place you got your Sumeet from -- I think I saw it online. If so, maybe that's where I'll go when I finally plunk down the cash.

LOL!! Deena,it's true.Lot of grinding and whipping is going to go on with that!Thanks.Bake the cake,you can down the sugar a little too:)

Hi N! Great to see you here.Salad was really good chilled,very refreshing for a hot day.We had a terribly hot week too here,was so exhausting inspite of having AC 24/7!! Keep cool there ,hugs:))

HeHe!! It has become third child indeed!:)) Those Cuisinart blenders are sissies compared to this.I heard that India doesn't sell these anymore there but there are plenty here and in Canada!!Enjoy the Orange Julius Bee:)

Coffee! Looks like I am dyslexic!!Hee Hee! I will correct it.Trisha is hard worker,she deserves it!:))Enjoy the cake.I got it from a book which has many Grandma's recipes.Try it.

Kalpana.Hope you do try and you can cut down the sugar in the cake a little as I found it little too sugary,unless you like sweet:))

Sangeeta,thanks.She is a good girl!:)) Enjoy all the goodies.Bake was very tasty,enjoy.

Seema,thank you.Trisha loves challenges and works hard for it.I am proud of her!:)Try the cake,use store bought Duncan Hines frosting thinned a little,easier than making all that at home:))

Linda,thanks.She had SAT too last Sat,waiting for results.11th grade is her last year of HS and she goes to college 1 yr early,so it's better,she gets all these done in time:) Enjoy M's visit,I bet she would love the casserole!Sumeet has another model with just a small chutney size jar like coffee grinder and another mixie with just 2 jars which is cheaper than this as well.Go to that link and check out.Enjoy!:)

Thank you Dumela.Look how many well wishers she has! She is lucky girl!!:))Enjoy the cake, hugs.

haaaa...My Lady ...what do I say ?? :)Congrats to Trisha and her proud mom :)

Your salad did capture my interest and will be trying soon and then ofcourse the cake...beautiful pic and a great shot of the shake...how did you manage that shot...it's quite difficult to take pics of drinks..HUGS..HUGS :)

orange julia looks yum, that is something i want to make asap :) i like the orange+milk combo :) also that sheet cake looks so sleek, a must try! congrats to trisha!! these memories are so precious!! great spread, you sure were busy!! salad looks good for the summer!

i couldnt get that sumeet out of my mind. i need one :))vl try that asparagus sometime. someone told me it tastes like tinda.....is it true?cake looks juicy....orange juice.....if i take orange juice out of the fridge....it just goes into my stomach :lol:but it sure looks great to try with milk n concentratefinally apple salad is heavenly.:)www.talimpu.com

Dear Asha,I know that you did not ask me to vote. But I really want to do it. So, if you can direct me to that it will be really helpful. One more thing...I forgot to mention this in my previous comment. Hearty congrats to Trisha's on her accompishment. You must be one proud mom. Bye dear.

ha ha ha ashakka...u r not only all-rounder but have very good sense of humour too:) i have been checking ur blog from 12-1.30 for ur wednesday post. was away in meeting till now and sitting there(half drowsy) i was thinking what u gonna parade today:) that texas cake looks unbelivably smooth and delicious... can i say? bombat aagi kanatte;) i thought u r talking abt weather when u said californian sunshine and immediately say AFAM. if i was not a food blogger i would have definately thought u must be talking abt weather instead of drink;) LOL.... i am so proud of trisha's achievement and a tight hugs to her n tushar from me:) they will be hanging around u for 2 n half months? cool... send them to UK... we will have fun;)

Anusha,good that I didn't have to drag you here this time!:))Thanks.Try the cake if not juice.SAT is a Aptitude test which every HS kid has to go thru' here,specially in the south if they want to apply for college.The higher score you get,the better chance of getting into great colleges.There are 3 parts,total score of 2400 pts.Let's see how much she gets!:))

Thank you so much Kribha.I do feel proud.It helps her future!:))Here is where you have to go for voting.http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.comAnali sent me a e mail with my blog's nom number but I don't remember!Sorry about that!There are so many of them,it's hard to find.

Hi Nee.Thank you.She is getting there slowly and next yr she has to do 5 APs!! Hope you are doing well there,not getting too bored.Enjoy the recipes:))

Hi Sia.LOL @ half drowsy at the meeting! If you had eaten all these ,you would have been zonked!!;DGot AFAM and MBP in one post! YAY!!:))Do you know how many ppl asked me about Sumeet? I should be paid by them for promoting! Love the Summet.As Bee said it's like my third child!;PIn UK? Are you kidding? Both of you work outside and they will tear your house apart out of boredom!!It takes a LOT to keep these kids entertained here.Not like us in India,living on the trees,playing with friends the whole day in hot Sun and eating all fresh fruits out of the tree!Nostalgia!:)Man! I don't know what to do for 2 1/2mtns,it's scary!May be I will teach them bake cookies etc.What's next? Got a new Cell phone today!! Idea!!!;D

Hello TC, everybody seems to be attracted to the cake!:D Give it try.Enjoy the recipes:))

Hi T! Thank you.With all your wishes and blessings,I am sure she does well in SAT too!:))Try shake and cake,they are yummy.Good luck with all you do there friend and wish you all the success in the world.Hugs to you too:))

Thank you Usha.Hope you try the cake.It's easy and little different from the usual:))

Hello Sreelu.Thank you.It takes about 3 days to put all together every post and cooking is the easy part for me!:))Trisha makes us proud indeed,thanks.

Congratulations on having such bright kids! Yay! Schools nearly out! We have to wait until the middle of July for the school holidays but I can't wait - probably mad, maybe it's because they're still small. Great food as always! Amanda

Anusha,I did see Poha Laddus already!!HaHa!!Yeah! Everything depends on how high you score in the exams,nothing to do with natural intelligence!!:D

Amanda,school starts again on Aug 25th.Yeah,it's easy to entertain little ones than these teenage monsters!:D They act like crazy if they don't have anything to do for a day,on the phone most of the day or online with friends.Oh well..got to get thru' it all somehow!;D Enjoy the recipes.Thanks Amanda.

HeHe! M!! Orange Julia is great for dieting too if you use fat free milk pd.Cake is out though!;DThanks.Trisha is a good daughter,lucky to have her.She is very self sufficient and don't get sucked into peer pressure like so many teenagers do.It's a very different society than we know back home you know!:))

Hi Asha,Congrats on Trisha's appearance in the local news paper.You must be one proud mama.Grt Job!

And coming to the recipes awesome as usual.I should try the cake .Looks delicious and yummy....(I always hesitate to bake cakes fear of screwing them up.)And I love the asparagus stir fry.Sumeet is my favourite brand of mixies too.Guess what I am getting a new one too in a couple of days.Same pinch.Have a nice day!Madhuri

Too good spread Asha!...and nice tag to spread too:-)). I just loved the cake recipe and shake too. As far as salads , to be frank Iam very poor at this. As far as salads are concerned..I just cut fresh vegetables, if needed sprinkeled with pepper and salt. That's how I offer to my guest too:-).Thanks for sharing this..I shall try different salads.They are healthy too.

Dear Asha, How do you do so much? really amazing. you manage all this post, comment on other blogs, the kids, OMG. sometimes I go sick and feel like taking a long nap. so many wonderful recipes with so much effort.thanks for the entry. please email me the details.

Congratulations to your daughter. I love the look of the casserole but I don't like frozen broccoli so would use fresh. We have been having wonderful asparagus from the local market but it's only held once a month worst luck. Your new mixer looks really good -enjoy :)

Hi Roopa,you are welcome.Hey.cookies and cream sounds great too.Enjoy!:)

Thank you Chris.Fresh always tastes better of course.We do fast convenient way!;DMost of the time ,we get tender Asparagus here,but they are little mature which is not so good to eat.Try the casserole Chris.Enjoy.I am missing Beccy!:))

Congrats to trisha and to the proud parents too.I agree with Sandeepa too. I was thinking of asking you this for a long time Asha.. why don't u write abt it in DMC.. I mean how did u prepare and work out for her academic excellence? What steps did u take to specialise her in diff areas and what hard work did she do, right from the beginning(from kindergarten). We all have young kids and if u share ur ideas and thoughts it would be of great help to many.will be looking forward to ur post in DMC. Needless to say all the items are wonderful, especially the cake..it really shaked my taste buds.

Wow lol! what a great post! This is sure a treat for your kids. Congrats to Trisha for her achivement and making her lovely parents so proud of her! Hey Asha Sandeepa has a nice point you shd share how she was inspired to studying its so tough these days to make kids understand. I am bolded by the sheet cake it looks awesome yestondu try madodu ide. This was the model of summeet i was looking but sad to say i could not get it in India gotta. the main reason i liked the small grinder which is just enough for the chutneys.

Once again congrats and a tight hug to Trisha for her achivement hugs:)

First Congrats to Trisha and You!This is a fabulous feast :)Most of the dishes I would be able to prepare. We even get asparagus here that too fresh and tender.The cake and the salad are looking super. In fact all the dishes are looking excellent.

Thank you Kribha:)) I didn't link it,so most probably don't know where to go!

Prema,I thought about Sandeepa's suggestion and I will write about it.It might take some time though,may be in 1 or 2 weeks! Thanks.She does most of the hard work,we just help.Enjoy the cake:)

Thanks Indo.With all your blessings,she will do even better next year I am sure!:))Salad was great,hope you try.

Thank you Roopa.Some kids are naturally intelligent,we just guide them in a right way.I will write about it at DMC:))Small grinder is also excellent for making pd and the middle size is best for making wet masala etc., get it:)

Congrats Asha,your daughter is holding her and your heads high up!my best wishes and blessings to her.Glad you got your sumeet!Oh how I miss it.I have to make do with a blender here:(..The broccoli bake, and the shake looks great.Loved the texas sheet cake too.

o.k..i missed your last post and that is a first for me..will read it now..but this was a woohoo post really!Congrats to Trisha, thanks for the info on the Sumeet mixer and yes will try atleast the shake, the cake....i don't eat meat :(Take care and have fun this weekend!

Hi Asha, Thanks for ur comment on my blogspot. Love your work. You seem to have collected fairly unique recipes. I am hosting a baby shower next weekend and "California Sunshine" is a sure thing on the menu. Also, Congrats to your little girl Trisha. You should be really proud of her.

Great!!!!!!!!!!!Congrats to Trisha.My mom is having summet mixchar for more than 20 years.....I say change it but they like.....same as deepa says.Your cake looks delicious......with orange juice. My mouth is watering.:)

First, congratulations to Trisha! Wonderful! And the meal looks really good. I've never made a sheet cake before. This looks like a nice easy one to try.

And lucky you with your new mixer! I don't know what's going on with my appliances. My microwave just died and I dropped my mini-chopper and broke it! I'll be doing some appliance shopping in the next few weeks!

Ashaji,i came here yesterday itself to check the post,as i mentioned in my post,i am feeling bad that i am unable to leave comments:) do read my reply at my blog.well,after reading your blog i think of your kids and say "wow,what luck,you get to eat so many varities, lucky kids to have such a great cook as mom" wish my kids say the same when i have them;p

Alpana,don't worry about it.I post every Wednesday,so you do have plenty of time to say hello to me!:))Kids happily eat these kinds of food.I am sure your future kids will be very happy with a mom like you too.Hugs!:)

Fun time with 2 bored cranky kids?! Bah!!;D We will,may be I get them to cook.Thanks,try the sheet cake,it's so easy.You might want to cut down the recipe to half since you are just 2 ppl right now at home and use a smaller pan to bake.Have a great weekend Shilpa.Let us know when parents are here:))

First of, Asha, congrats to Trisha and congrats to you for bringing up and nurturing such a brilliant girl! Loved all your recipes for the week...I find all of them to be most useful and I will definitely find the time to make the Asparagus with Sesame and the summer salad. Had never heard of "Taste of Home" before this so thanks very much for the heads up!

Hi J! Sorry about the blogger acting up.Yesterday was tough to even to comment for me too.Thanks.I have many many cookbooks,flip a page and it it's easy enough,I will cook it!:))Dance away girl, it's good for you!:D

That sheet cake looks like a real winner! :) And broccoli and cheddar is positively one of my favourite combinations ever! :) I made 2 cauliflower dishes this weekend, but still finding the inspiration to write about them! :)

Heyyy proud Mommyyyyyyyy...way to go...am sure you're feeling on top of the world and Trisha's made u proud...with lotsa wishes to Trisha for more to come her way...cheers !!!

The sunday menu is so tempting....the desert's set me drooolinggggggggg already not to mention the Chicken and Broccoli is absolutely inviting and simple to do !I have made up my mind...this is my ultimate COOK BOOK...i dont need any other !You take care and have a lovely week ahead...

Hi Mona,thank you.Hugging you back!:))Mrs.Dash is a mix of;pepper,chilli p,ajwain,Oregano,cumin,Basil,Bay leaf,Marjoram,Thyme,Coriander seeds,mustard,Rosemary,dry onion,dry Garlic,Tomato,citric acid,lime!(got it from the back of the bottle)Skip anything not available there:)Try the cake:)

Hi Pravs,thanks girl:))Enjoy the recipes.Yeah,they had fun eating all those too!:D

Hello Keshi!:)) Have a good day mate!

HeHe!! Thank you Seema.Glad you liked them.Try the casserole,it's good.You can add any meat to it.Thanks about Trisha.She always been a great student,we are proud:))

Hi AshaI've been missing all your wonderful recipes, so I had a few free minutes to come by for a visit.I love everything here, and will be trying all of your recipes.Thanks Asha....you always have the best of the best!The Summer Apple Salad I am going to make tomorrow night.

Hi Asha! I was droooooling over your sheet cake pic. :) Congratulations! you are a proud mummy.We have been using Sumeet mixie for :-? almost 5 decades (from ajji to mummy to me). I would never prefer other brands.

thanks Asha! I expected your reply, since there would be no one with that much experience in cooking various dishes and using so many gadgets in kitchen! Yeah, surely I checked sumeet too, have to buy one soon. I need your opinion about an icecream maker too for home use.. :)Now your Texas cake is in mind.. drooling.. :)

Thanks Skeeter and Mohs. Enjoy the cake. I don't like frosting much as well Mohs, I do it for my kids and also I spread the icing very thin so it won't be overly sweet. You can also just sprinkle/dust some icing sugar on top as well, looks petty to serve for guests! :)

Hi Asha,the texan cake looks yummy, had some few queries rgrds texan cake- can i use it as a base for making as pastry search as pineapple pastry.... is it to sour coz of the sour cream, how does it tastes?

Kavita, because of the sour cream this cake will be tiny bit sour but balanced with sugar,it won't be be that sour. This cake is very delicate, so adding fruits to batter to bake is not recommended. But could add Pineapple or Oranges or Strawberries on top just before serving a slice and a sprinkle of icing sugar on top makes elegant dessert! Enjoy! :)

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